Staying true to form, the United Nations is once again condemning the nation of Israel over their refusal to subsidize a terrorist group that frequently attacks and kills Israelis.

Israel's decision to withhold $50 million of funds destined for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in protest of Hamas' electoral success was sharply criticized by the United Nation's peace envoy.

The UN's Alvaro de Soto said the decision made by the Israeli cabinet last Sunday was premature and declared that it ran counter to the agreed policy last month of the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia. However, the US has not criticized Israel's decision. In fact, the US demanded the return of $50 million in aid money from the Palestinians as a result of Hamas election victories and their refusal to repudiate their call for the annihilation of Israel and refusal to disarm.

The UN officials said that international funding should be judged against the willingness of a Hamas government to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist, and observing past agreements between Israel and the old PA. But Hamas has not renounced violence and they are being encouraged by the madman president of Iran in their hatred of the Israeli people.

De Soto said duties and taxes Israel collects on the PNA's behalf and normally remits every month "are monies that belong to the Palestinians and should not be withheld." In other words, the UN crony believes that Israel should give money to a government who is run by thugs, cutthroats and suicide bombers. What's next? The US will be asked to subsidize Al-Qaeda and the Taliban?

The refusal to subsidize the Palestinian government was one of a series of tough sanctions against what the acting Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, said was in practice becoming a "terrorist" authority. Israel also called for a halt, internationally, to PNA funding other than humanitarian aid.

Of course, there are lunatics in the US who agree with the United Nations insanity. None other than former President Jimmy Carter believes that the US and Israel are wrong for discontinuing financial aid to the Palestinians over differences with Hamas. Of course, once again, Carter's is wrong. The Palestinians elected terrorists to their parliament. They are responsible for those whom they elect -- they don't live under a dictator such as Saddam Hussein. The US in the past gave the PA over $250 million per year.

Israeli's who've lost loved ones, friends and neighbors as a result of suicide bombers are expected to pay taxes that ends up in the hands of the very killers who dispatched these bombers. This sounds sane to the likes of the United Nations and Jimmy Carter. Only a coward would fork over money to his tormentors.

Immediately following the election victory, Hamas leader Khalid Mish'al wrote in Britain's Guardian, "We shall never recognize the legitimacy of a Zionist State. . . . We shall not seek friendships at the expense of our legitimate rights."

Mark Regev, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, said in response to the UN remarks, "The Government's decision stands."

As Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, began talks with Hamas' Prime Minister-in-waiting, Ishmael Haniya, in Gaza, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called on the Muslim world to assist a Hamas-led PNA. Good let them pay for the new Palestinian government.

Recently, Spain and France endorsed Russian President Putin's invitation to Hamas, and both governments are reported to be working to have Hamas removed from the European list of terrorist organizations, according to Arab and Israeli sources. Expect other countries
to follow suit in this tacit legitimization of Hamas, thereby "isolating" the Bush
Administration, which refuses to deal with the group.

Insanity is defined as: Doing the same things over and over and over again, and expecting different results. It is the hallmark of the liberal-left in the US, the UN leadership, and the Europeans.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for a number of organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. He writes for many police and crime magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer, Campus Law Enforcement Journal, and others. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com, Booksamillion.com, and can be ordered at local bookstores. Kouri holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice and master of arts in public administration and he's a board certified protection professional.